yeah.. they say people think that it won't hurt so much on their butt.. but there are a lot of nerves that spread out from the base of the spinal column, so the lower back/butt area tend to hurt.. so I hear..

I really think it should be added to this thread that if your ball python is a picky eater it might be helpful to use some african frozen rats. Since balls are from africa the feeding instinct will really kick in. My snakes previous owner did everything to get him onto frozen food. He was shocked I managed to do it.

However african rats are more expensive. Before your bag is up get a bag of regular rats and rub the african ones on a few of them. Eventually your snake will eat frozen regular rats.

You can also use gerbils, also part of their natural food chain and easier to get hold off..........just don't mention it at the petshop..they look at you funny when you say that their display animals would look good inside your snake....

Not sure about the U.S. but you can in the U.K. ........but they do seem to have a "season", at some points of the year you can get them and at others everywhere seems to be completely barren of the little sods.

Hi I have two sand boas one is about 14in long and is doing great. The female is about 7in long and won't eat. We bought them from an individual and he assured us that they were both eating great. We have had her since last sunday and have tried feeding her on wed,fri and sat and sun. We have tried live pinkies dead pinkies and the latest we were told to cut the pinkie so that the snake would be attracted to the blood smell. Still no go. We were told by the pet store to try jump-start caloric supplement. this looks to be okay for lizards what about snakes. Please help